

Wow! The Disappearance of Lindy James by Catherine Maiorisi is one intense novel. At times it was really hard to read, but I’m glad I did.
This is not a romance. It is the story of a loving family that is almost destroyed by untreated mental illness (in this case postpartum psychosis) and an extreme religious order that manipulates the victim (Lindy) and spirits her and her children away from her wife, Quincy.
In this tale we see the evil that can happen because of religious fanaticism…the destruction of families and especially the lives of those involved. The author did an excellent job of showing these evils. What the author also did in the book is show the healing power of unconditional love, especially when it is also paired with mental health options as well as help from friends and the community. I fell in love with Quincy. She is so devoted to her family and especially Lindy. She really is my hero in this story.
This novel needs a trigger warning. There is a lot in this novel about religious cults and the fanatical views they have. There is also talk about how these cults view LGBTQ+ relationships and people.
This is a well-written novel that showcases serious issues about how we deal with mental health and religious cults. It also shows the power of love which makes this a great story to read.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and Bella Books for an honest review.